Hole for radiant heat

James Gautsch · Oct 27, 2011

Well the AHS E-100 is in the basement in its place. Duct work hooked up. Have started to install the Joist Trak and hanger clips for the pex tubing. About half the house done. According to Uponor tech sheets they call for the pex feed/return holes (2 ea) to be 1-1/2" dia, spaced 4"-6" apart and 4" below the floor. I've seen pictures on the web that some folks used only one hole for both feed and return. Also seen holes that look to be a lot smaller. So my question is; should I follow Uponors spec, or how do you successful installers run pex?

Yes I know, without pictures it never happened. Will post some when I get further along.

Thanks,
Jim

afblue · Oct 28, 2011

I did staple up RHT PEX AL PEX tubing, with the thin flashing plates, and I used a 7/8" bit and ran one 1/2" line per hole. It was a little bit of a pain pulling the P-A-P but I wasnt about to buy a new bit to drill bigger.

Hunderliggur · Oct 28, 2011

I used wood web trusses to build the house! No hole drilling at all for the radiant. You want the largest hole without compromising structural integrity. The "training video" than came with my supplies from the Radiant Company said you can install "hundreds of feet a day. You won't believe home many times you pull that same 300 feet to snake it though the floor!

James Gautsch · Oct 28, 2011

afblue - Thanks for the input. Think I'll use a 1" bit since I already have one. The pex that I will be using is Uponors 1/2" "he" pex. That should be a little easier to run than P-A-P.

hunderliggur - Wish I had open trusses. When we build in the mid 70's we use 2 x 12. Any chance of borrowing your installation video?

What other pit falls should I be on the lookout for?

Thanks again to both of you for your input!

mikefrommaine · Oct 28, 2011

Pex that goes through a small hole may create an annoying noise when it expands and contracts and rubs against the floor joist.

A 1.5" hole in a 2 x 12 is fine as long as it is at least 2" from the top or bottom of the joist and each hole is at least 2 times its diameter away from the next hole. I believe that a 2 x 12 can safely handle, according to code, a hole up to 3.5"

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Hole for radiant heat

James Gautsch

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Feeling the Heat

Hunderliggur

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James Gautsch

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